Among the floats was a Back to The Future flying DeLorean, and a Doctor Who Tardis.

Mr Ó Muilleoir said: "What we wanted to do was, because St Patrick's Day isn't a public holiday, let's have an event everyone can attend.

"All the schools are closed today, there are no places of work really open and I think it's paid off for us."

He added: "It's the biggest turnout I've seen in some years on St Patrick's Day, great colour, lots of green, and what really thrills me is that 700 young people, from right across the city, the Shankill and the Falls, are leading the carnival parade."